Traditional children’s folk songs are simple, catchy tunes passed down through generations.
They often feature repetitive lyrics and playful rhythms, making them easy for children to learn and sing.
These songs tell stories or teach valuable life lessons, connecting young listeners to cultural traditions and values.
About the Song
There’s a Hole in the Bucket is a humorous folk song that features a circular dialogue between two characters, Henry and Liza, attempting to fix a leaky bucket.
Each proposed solution leads to another problem, creating a cycle of absurdity.
The song has become a classic in children’s folk music, known for its catchy, repetitive structure.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released | 1700s |
| Writers | Traditional (originated in German folklore) |
| Producers | N/A |
There’s a Hole in the Bucket Lyrics
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole
Well, fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
So fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it
With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza
With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, with what?
With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw
But the straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza
The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long
Cut it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Well, cut it dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it!
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?
With an axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
With an axe, dear Henry, with an axe
The axe is too dull, dear Liza, dear Liza
The axe is too dull, dear Liza, too dull
Sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Well, sharpen it dear Henry, dear Henry, hone it!
On what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza
On what shall I hone it, dear Liza, with what?
On a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
On a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, on a stone
But the stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza
The stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry
Well, wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Well, wet it dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it
Ha ha ha, with what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza
With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?
Try water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
Try water, dear Henry, dear Henry, use water
In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, dear Liza
In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, in what?
In a bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry
In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, in a bucket
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole
Similar Songs Like There’s a Hole in the Bucket
Here are a few similar songs to There’s a Hole in the Bucket, known for their humorous, repetitive, or interactive nature:
- Green Grass Grows All Around: A traditional folk song that weaves a repeating, circular structure, making it just as fun and catchy as There’s a Hole in the Bucket.
- Skip To My Lou: Skip to My Lou is an energetic children’s song with a call-and-response style that invites active participation, making it a popular choice for group sing-alongs and fun interactions.
- She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain: This classic folk song with repetitive lyrics excites children, making it a fun and easy way to sing along while learning about movement.
- This Land Is Your Land: Woody Guthrie’s folk anthem delivers a strong message of unity with a memorable melody, standing out in American folk music despite not being repetitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes There’s a Hole in the Bucket a Popular Children’s Song?
Its catchy, repetitive lyrics and interactive structure make it easy for children to sing along and engage with.
What Age Group Enjoys There’s a Hole in the Bucket?
The song is primarily for children, but its fun and playful nature makes it enjoyable for all ages.
Why is There’s a Hole in the Bucket So Popular?
The song’s simple lyrics, catchy rhythm, and engaging circular structure make it a favorite among children and adults alike.
What is the Role of the Characters, Henry and Liza, in the Song?
Henry and Liza engage in a back-and-forth dialogue where they try to solve the problem of a leaky bucket, but each solution only creates a new problem.
